American Trappist Is On a Roll with Latest EP and Video

THURSDAY, JULY 07, 2016 |

Posted by: Kirsten Spruch

[Photo Credit: Danny Clinch]

Last week, Joe Michelini of Philly-based project American Trappist released Part 2 of his 3-part album, On The River Toms, exclusively via his site, which you can listen to HERE. The title track, which features Bootsy Spankins P.I., has a jazzy, romantic feeling. The light strum of the acoustic guitar and Michelini's vulnerable, ominous vocals are the clear highlights of this track. It's simple yet will manage to make you feel like you're falling in love.

"Saturday night / Think I wanna die / Sour in the rye / Touch myself and cry," Michelini sings at the start of the second track, "Sour In The Rye." He sounds like he's losing hope, but with feel-good keys and a soaring guitar solo, the music sounds like the complete opposite. The lyrics are so honest that they almost don't feel negative -- but instead Michelini is coming to terms with who he is and he's finally learning to accept it.

Another highlight off of the EP is "Nothing Short of Faithful," which features a danceable beat, jangly guitars, and vocals preaching so much wisdom, they'll hit you right in the soul. He also released a video for the track (watch above) directed by Brian L. Tice Jr. On the video, Michelini told American Songwriter, "It's a floating feeling, isn't it? Learning to love someone, suspending all the doubt you can, and then deciding where youll end up before you ever arrive. I guess that's why we filmed it one person moving forwards, one moving backwards, on an even plane. In a strange way it doesn't seem to move at all. It gives me a sense of relief that only an objective view of the present can provide, and that's what the song is about anyway."

We can't wait to hear the final part of this LP, Hannah Future Tense, which will be released on August 5th.